Drum Sanders - How often do you use them in your shop?

[bthere]

I have a chance to get a pretty nice deal on a newer model Performax 16/32 in excellent condition. So, I'm trying to justify getting this one. (I usually don't have to look too far to come up with a reason to get a new tool).

In the past I hadn't really seen the need for one since I can do almost everything I need to with planer followed by ROS. Until he moved recently, I had a friend who did have a drum sander and was nice enough to let me use it. It really was handy to smooth out some veneer that I had resawn and it sure was quick on some doors. The time savings and efficiency were pretty impressive to me, and are what made me start watching for a good deal on a sander.

What I'm wondering is whether the 16/32 would just sit most of the time, or is it one of those tools that become indispensible once you have it?

[poolhound]

I guess it depends on how much of a nice deal you are talking.

I dont have the room for one right now and while I can think of numerous uses I have made do without.

However for the "right" price I would be happy to have one and find the room

[LarryG]

What I'm wondering is whether the 16/32 would just sit most of the time, or is it one of those tools that become indispensible once you have it?

If my experience is any guide, the latter.

Just over two years ago, when I bought my cabinet saw, I was in a position to swing the purchases of a Performax 22-44 at the same time. I winced at the price -- it's the second most expensive tool in my shop, after the cabinet saw -- but after watching how much David Marks used his on "WoodWorks" I thought it was a machine I could really put to work. That has proved to be exactly the case: there's hardly any project, no matter how large or small, that I don't use it on.

If you work primarily with plywood a drum sander might not get a lot of use but if you work with solid woods or veneers, you'll soon be wondering how you ever got along without it.

[JR]

Mine is technically a wide belt sander, so perhaps not entirely and apples to apples comparison. Anyway, I use it all the time.

Yesterday I had a little panel, about 15"x13" or so, which, after glueup, had a very slight ridge where the boards meet. One pass through the sander and it was perfect. The figured wood might have been risky to run through a planer.

The purchase of my WBS caused a major shop redesign, with new wiring and new layout. I'm glad I did it.

JR

[drumpriest]

I have a 16-32 and use it all of the time. I think I've used it on every project since I got it. I use it for smoothing shop sawn veneer, also for truing up panel glue-ups, also for dimensioning think stock for edge banding, also for sneaking up on a particular thickness because it's less aggressive than my planer, also for final thicknessing of figured material, also....

yeah, it gets used a lot.

[cgallery]

When a used Ryobi 16-32 was available at a good (not GREAT, but reasonable) price, I got it. I, too, use it more than I anticipated.

Specifically, I use it when working with exotics and troublesome domestics. And I also use it for clean-up after resawing.

[Uncle Cracker]

Ditto what others have said. I use mine more than I thought I would...

[scmhogg]

Since I rarely use wider stock, I bought the Grizzly "Baby" Drum Sander. [Baby at 160 pounds.] I love it, and I use it on everything. I sand all stock before I cut and assemble it. Sure saves a lot of time later.

It substitutes for a planer on figured wood.

Steve

[cgallery]

It substitutes for a planer on figured wood.

Steve

Exactly. Everyone says not to use them as a planer. Sometimes there is no other way. I don't have an abrasive planer. But I do have this drum sander, and patience.

[LinuxRandal]

Frak, I read this thread and was getting ready for bed, and I find this:


http://kansascity.craigslist.org/tls/1126157263.html

Good deal (as in already gone), or not?

[Uncle Cracker]

Frak, I read this thread and was getting ready for bed, and I find this:


http://kansascity.craigslist.org/tls/1126157263.html

Good deal (as in already gone), or not?

I'd pass... I got a nearly new Performax 16/32 for the same price. If you are patient, you'll probably fare as well, and the Jet/Performax is a much better machine than a 12" Grizz, IMHO.

[drumpriest]

I'd say go have a look and see if it works, the price seems fair if it's in good shape, and if you really only need 12". Personally I wish I had the 22-44 though the 16-32 has been great, more capacity is even better.

[Pappy]

Do you see a pattern developing in the responses????

My WDS 1600 Ryobi gets a LOT of use. Go for it.

[bthere]

Well thanks a lot, guys. I try to keep from spending money on tools, but it seems everyone is bent on forcing me to lay out more cash .

Seriously, though, thanks for the input. I had imagined from my limited use of drum sanders that they would be pretty active in the shop if you had one right there.

[bthere]

Ok, so its sitting in my shop now. The thing was just about unused. The first roll of paper was on the drum with just a little dust on it. He hadn't even put on the extension tables. Thanks for the input, folks